diff --git a/util/grub.d/10_linux.in b/util/grub.d/10_linux.in
index 2dddc39816..11c19304f8 100644
--- a/util/grub.d/10_linux.in
+++ b/util/grub.d/10_linux.in
@@ -163,12 +163,13 @@ update_bls_cmdline()
     local cmdline="root=${LINUX_ROOT_DEVICE} ro ${GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX} ${GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT}"
     local -a files=($(get_sorted_bls))
 
-    if [[ ! -f /etc/kernel/cmdline ]] ||
-	   [[ /etc/kernel/cmdline -ot /etc/default/grub ]]; then
-	# anaconda has the correct information to create this during install;
-	# afterward, grubby will take care of syncing on updates.  If the user
-	# has modified /etc/default/grub, try to cope.
-	echo "$cmdline" > /etc/kernel/cmdline
+    if [ -w /etc/kernel ] &&
+           [[ ! -f /etc/kernel/cmdline ||
+                  /etc/kernel/cmdline -ot /etc/default/grub ]]; then
+        # anaconda has the correct information to create this during install;
+        # afterward, grubby will take care of syncing on updates.  If the user
+        # has modified /etc/default/grub, try to cope.
+        echo "$cmdline" > /etc/kernel/cmdline
     fi
 
     for bls in "${files[@]}"; do